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Hi Marina,
I couldn't agree more. Mastery of all of one's available tools is an obvious goal if one aspires to be a master. Of course mastery of the tools is merely a step in the right direction. Becoming the artist we dream to be takes far more than just mastery of tools, but the foundation must be strong for the structure to fully manifest.
I've spent many years developing my photography skills (pun intended) as well as my computer skills. I try to use everything I know to my best advantage. I see two glaring weaknesses in most portrait art. Bad reference photography and poor drawing skills. The painting workshops I lead are in great demand but my drawing and digital photography workshops don't attract nearly as many. This amazes me because I believe both are at least as important, if not more so.
I think that if the old masters were alive today they would absolutely take full advantage of todays technology and couple it with their extraordinary knowledge. Great artists are always looking to utilize whatever will make themselves more effective. Vermeer used optical devices. Bouguereau and Gerome both took full advantage of photography and look how they raised the bar.
The biggest problems with photography (inaccurate values and colors, and visual distortion) can easily be avoided if one knows what one is doing. Coupled with working from life, an artist can play from a real position of strength.
Why try to replicate the efforts of the past, regardless of how great they were? Why not aspire to create the greatest work ever produced?
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!
Thanks again for responding.
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